Volvo
Swedish auto maker Volvo has partnered with German tuner Heico Sportiv to present two special cars to the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas next month.
SEMA, the largest automotive specialty products trade event in the world, hosts the event which will run from October 30 to November 2, 2007.
The first car to be featured is the C30, a special version of Volvo’s sports hatch. Volvo and Heico Sportiv have enhanced the look of Volvo’s entry-level model by adding a more aggressive body kit with a surf-design pattern. The front showcases three larger air ducts, integrated Volvo fog light, spoiler flaps, and a Volvo grille.
A tougher T5 engine with 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque has been fitted to the Volvo C30. Keeping that power controlled is a sports suspension that lowers the C30 by 40mm and four-piston Volvo brake calipers. Wheels are bumped up to 19-inches at all four corners and are fitted with Continental sports tires.
Along with the Volvo C30, a high performance version of the Volvo S80 will greet spectators at the SEMA event. Like the C30, the S80 High Performance Concept had a lot of exterior and interior upgrades. The S80 is a turbocharged T6 bioethanol engine that gets 350 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and produces 550 Nm of torque between 1500 and 4000 rpm.
Featuring Volvo’s electronically controlled All Wheel Drive System, the car has an improved sport suspension. Also, its new Volvo shocks and springs lower the chassis by 40 millimeters. The brake system has blue calipers and Volvo brake pads. The 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted with 255/30R20 tires from Continental.
The Volvo exhaust system of the upgraded model is entirely made of stainless steel and the exhaust tailpipes are incorporated into the wide rear Volvo spoiler.
On the exterior, this Volvo model was coated seven times with paint to give it a unique metal-effect look. The other Volvo parts such as the tailpipe trim, window moldings, front grill, and rub strips are coated with matte finish black chrome.
“We wanted to explore how far we could take a special high-performance version of the S80. Heico Sportiv’s impressive track record in motor sports and Volvo tuning made them the perfect partner for the job,” said Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business, and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars.
